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Friday, August 09, 2013

Old Things

What is it about old things that draws us in? It certainly isn't for their pristine surfaces and bright colors... Quite the opposite, I suspect. Their worn edges, mottled patina, fading, peeling, tarnished condition alludes to layers of existence. A mysterious history, created by, held by, loved by Whom? For How Long? When? What winding paths did it travel down that led it to our hands, our collections, our hearts?

The yellow bird, the wooden bowl, the blue bell, came to me from my Grandmothers. But the others... whose Grandchild didn't care enough to hold onto the family heirloom? What happened along the way to make what was once cherished lose its value? I have often wished that such items came with an embedded computer chip that recorded its life history. We lose so much depth when we disregard our history and exchange it for the new, shiny, disposable implements of our own time.

6 comments:

I really enjoyed seeing your special pieces. As with my grandmother and mother, we can't keep all their possessions and must part with most, and I find the majority of my friends will choose those in the best condition or with an emotional attachment. The rest travel around to various stops until they find the person who appreciates these mystery treasures. And we're grateful for that!

Oh, such lovely antique treasures! I am delighted that your grandmother's lovelies remain in cherished hands...as for your other finds, they shall tell you their secrets in time surely.Thank you for sharing your special collections.Warmly,Judy

I can't believe that just a few minutes ago I was searching through my old books, looking for the directions for making a pinkeep with clam shells - and here I see you have one!!! Earlier today I was in a Pinterest fog, drooling over all the old and precious needlework things, and came across your blog. It does my 76 year old heart good to see a young woman appreciating the remnants of the past, and preserving them. God bless you! By the way, another way to display old scissors is to stand them in the holes of a glass flower frog.